Bed preparation

[LHcj2008]

Im due on 12/28 and want to start gathering HB supplies little by little. Is it necessary to use something like a plastic shower curtain liner to protect your mattress (and clean sheets underneath), or would a waterproof mattress protector (styled like a fitted sheet) work just as well? I'm trying to avoid vinyl and would rather use a waterproof mattress pad that I can put on the bed throughout the whole month of December (I have this feeling that I can't shake that I'm going to go into labor early) in the case that my water breaks in bed, and have on there for the birth as well, for obvious reasons. The one I'm considering buying has good reviews on Amazon and I'm thinking I can leave it on for months after the birth to protect the bed from all of the sorts of...er, liquids that I can imagine my baby and I will be producing

Also, all of our bedding is white (that would figure), and while I plan to buy some cheap sheets to put on the top, with clean ones underneath, did you ladies who have done this before have issues with your duvet or any comforter getting soiled? I'm wondering if I should just take my duvet off in early Dec. and find a temporary solution until after the birth, or just get it out of the way in early/active labor once things really get going.

[kawa kamuri]

I used a waterproof mattress pad and sheets I didn't mind getting stained with my regular mattress cover and sheets underneath. You may want to look into a waterproof pillow case also, if you think you'd like to use one.

Take anything you don't want soiled off when you're in labour.

[SilverLace]

I did what you are suggesting- I made the bed with the sheets I wanted for after the birth, then covered those with a fitted waterproof mattress pad (I think the shower curtains slide too much, plus they don't cover everything). Then I made the bed with the sheets I wanted for the birth.

If you care a lot about the duvet etc. I would take them off. I found the first few days postpartum to be the messiest of all.

[donutmolly]

I also used a fitted waterproof sheet (I think it was vinyl though...) and made up the bed early. I never ended up using the bed in labor, but I sure was glad to have the waterproof sheet on post-partum (in fact, I kept using it until my crazy milk supply calmed down...)

I would just plan on having your Dh remove your comforter when you start labor and have something (blankets, a different comforter) that you don't mind getting stained until all the fluids have calmed down -- lochia is pretty messy too, so something you can live with for several days post birth.

[Vaske]

We have used plastic painters' dropcloths for births before. While I don't think they're durable enough to sleep on for a whole month, they are quite inexpensive--about $2 for one that is more than big enough to cover a king-size bed.

[moonjunio]

If you are planning to cosleep then you probably need to find some thin, warm blankets anyway. A comforter is considered too puffy, if the baby's face were to roll against it.

If you can afford a full fitted mattress cover, then I don't see why you shouldn't get it. Stains only matter for stuff you actually look at, right? :-) hopefully a bottle of peroxide in the wash will Help. I would also get some small pads for afterward, though - both for your leaking and baby's. No fun to change a Mattress pad all the time. I got some flannel rubber-backed pads at a quality pharmacy (normally intended for elder care I think).

[sarah1122]

I'd ask your midwife.

A waterproof mattress cover was on the birth supply list given to us by our MW. We put it on under the sheets when I started to go into labor and beyond that I have no idea what happened with the bed because the midwives and my mother took care of everything....all I know is that none of our bedding was ruined.

Never underestimate the power of those blue chux pads. Our midwives left a big stack and I slept on them for days after our home birth.